Sisters of Life
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The Sisters of Life (Latin: Sorores Vitae) is a Catholic religious institute for women that follows the Augustinian rule. It is both a contemplative and active religious community, working for the promotion of anti-abortion causes. Its members use the postnominal abbreviation S.V.
Origins
The Sisters of Life were an order first conceived of by
Several years later, he decided to begin a new religious community in the Church, one dedicated to the promotion of
June 1, 1991, eight women joined the order. For thirteen years they remained a public association of the lay faithful—a non-religious Catholic community—until March 25, 2004, when they were formally established as a religious institute of diocesan right by
Vows and activities
Like all Catholic religious communities, the Sisters of Life take the three traditional religious vows of
Visitation Mission
Serving over 1,000 women a year in person, over phone and by email, the Visitation Mission is considered the order's most important work.[5] The Mission serves women experiencing crisis pregnancy, and seeks to provide them with both "emotional and practical resources"[6] to give birth. While half of those counseled by the Visitation Mission remain at home, others are placed in private homes or maternity facilities run by other religious orders, or with the Sisters of Life themselves, in the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, where women can stay "as long as six months prior to giving birth and up to a year afterward."[7] The Sisters of Life rely on donations of food, diapers, strollers and money to run their Visitation Mission.
Villa Maria Guadalupe
The Sisters of Life run a retreat house in Stamford, Connecticut, called Villa Maria Guadalupe. Formerly operated by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus purchased the retreat house for the Sisters of Life, with the hope that the Sisters' ministry would "help people from around the world to deepen their spiritual life and commitment to live the challenge of being a people for life."[8]
Convents
The Sisters of Life have two convents in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and several convents in New York, United States:
References
- ^ Feuerherd, Peter. "Sisters of Life". St. Anthony Messenger magazine. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ O'Connor, John (November 2, 1989). "Help Wanted: Sisters of Life". Catholic New York. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ "About the Sisters of Life".
- ^ "About Sisters of Life: Prayer Life". Sisters of Life. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ McGowan, William (29 July 2011). "Life and Faith in Hell's Kitchen". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ "About Visitation Mission". Sisters of Life. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ McGowan, William (29 July 2011). "Life and Faith in Hell's Kitchen". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ "Knights of Columbus, Sisters of Life, and the Diocese of Bridgeport join forces to develop an international pro-life retreat center in Stamford". Fairfield County Catholic. 10 October 2004. Retrieved 19 March 2012.